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Prime cattle slaughter remains low in July
Thursday, 12 August 2021
Prime cattle and cow slaughter both fell in July, compared to June’s figure, according to Defra data. In the UK, 162,200 prime cattle came forward, 1,500 head fewer than last month, and 17,700 head (-10%) fewer than in July 2020. Prime carcase weights were 2.5kg heavier year on year.
Cow slaughter was 50,100 head in July, 5,400 more than in June, but 7,900 lower than July 2020. Together these changes mean beef production in July was 73,100 tonnes, a little higher than last month, but 10% lower than in July 2020.
In the year to date, the UK has produced 520,400 tonnes of beef and veal, 4% lower than at the same time last year.
Numbers on the ground have been lower for some time, both here and in Ireland, the major source of our imported beef. This has been keeping the market tight and supporting prices, against a background of good demand for British beef in particular. The longer-term prospects do not show a dramatic recovery in the UK supply situation, although in the medium-term, more cattle may become available next year. For more information on what might be in store for UK beef (and other sectors), read our latest Agri-market outlook, published at the end of July.
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